Beef prices at present are “driving farmers out of business”, according to Tim Cullinan, the president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

He called on factories to give “an immediate price rise” to farmers, with the IFA outlining ’10 reasons why’ prices should be increased.

“The market has clearly improved, yet factories continue to try and hold back price… The factories need to increase prices immediately,” Cullinan argued.

According to Brendan Golden, the IFA’s national livestock chairperson, all market facts “point to a rising market”. He argued that it is “very clear” that factories can pay more.

Beef trade: ‘More bite’

For the most part, beef processors are now operating off a base of €3.60/kg for in-spec steers and heifers. However, there is “more bite” entering the trade and deals of €3.65/kg have been achieved by some farmers with suitable numbers.

While €3.60/kg is the common price on offer across the country, farmers with numbers of in-spec prime cattle, with a good factory-farmer relationship, are in poll position to achieve higher prices.

In related news, Turkish authorities have recently announced that the live imports of weanling cattle are set to resume in the coming weeks.

In 2019, nearly 9,000 weanling animals were exported from Ireland to Turkey, with the country offering an important live export destination for Irish cattle.